Chapter 5
Renee moved closer to Gabriel, nestling against his body. He ran his fingers through her hair then gently kissed her forehead.
"What's wrong, Renee?" He asked. She hadn't let go of him since they had climbed into bed a few hours ago.
"Nothing," she whispered.
"Don't lie to me. Something is bothering you."
"It's nothing, Gabriel. He didn't do anything." She looked at him, and he saw the tears in the corners of her eyes.
"But he tried to?"
"I didn't give him a chance to. Gabriel, I never want any other man to touch me. Only you. Forever and always."
"I won't ever let anyone do that to you. Not again."
"But you weren't there! You wouldn't have been able to stop him."
Gabriel wrapped his arms around her. "I would give my life to save yours. You know that, Renee. I won't let anything happen to you."
"Don't protect me, Gabe. Just love me. Please, just love me."
He brought his lips down to meet hers, and her hands traveled around his shoulders.
Hey darkness don't you try
To steal the moment or close my eyes
I won't let you in
'Cause this feels too damn good to me
All I want and all I need
Is her touch again and again and again.
Renee's hands moved up into Gabriel's hair, twisting it around her fingers. Their lips met with a passion and desperation both felt.
I don't wanna go to sleep tonight
I don't want anything to change
I don't wanna wake up and find a different day
Yeah, she makes me free
Here between the day and the twilight
I don't wanna go to sleep tonight.
Gabriel's tongue traced Renee's lips then entered her mouth.
Time stop dead in your tracks
Turn around and don't look back
And just let us be
I'm gonna take this time and soak it up
Forever wouldn't be long enough
If you knew her you'd agree, agree with me
Renee arched her body to meet his. A cry of pleasure escaped her lips as he slid into her.
I don't wanna go to sleep tonight
I don't want anything to change
I don't wanna wake up and find a different day
Yeah, she makes me free
Here between the day and the twilight
I don't wanna go to sleep tonight.
"Never leave me," she whispered as they lay in each others arms a half hour later.
"I never will."
I wish the sun would just forget to come up
And just leave us wrapped up in this love.
"I love you," he whispered as the woman he loved drifted to sleep in his arms.
I don't wanna go to sleep tonight
I don't want anything to change
I don't wanna wake up and find a different day
Yeah, she makes me free
Here between the day and the twilight
I don't wanna go to sleep tonight.
I don't wanna go to sleep tonight.
I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go,
I don't wanna go to sleep tonight.
*******
"The twins' birthday is tomorrow," Renee told Caitlyn a few weeks later. She looked at her friend then asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Why do you ask?"
"You seem preoccupied."
Caitlyn sighed. "We haven't heard anything about him. It's been three weeks, Renee. He's probably out there, just hiding in the shadows. He could strike at any time. I'm so scared."
"Are you afraid he'll come after you to get at Danny?"
Caitlyn shook her head. "I'm more afraid he'll just go after Danny again. His ribs have finally healed, but he's still looking over his shoulder. I'm surprised he'll even let me out of the house. He's told me over and over that he won't let anything ever happen to me. And he still hasn't forgiven himself for not finding the little girl and boy in time. Doesn't he realize he can't save them all?"
"Probably not," Renee muttered. "Don't worry, Caitlyn. They'll find him. He won't hurt you two again." She looked at her watch. "I have to go pick the kids up from school now. You gonna be there for the party tomorrow?"
"Of course. I wouldn't miss it."
When the twins climbed into the car, Aidan blurted, "Allanah got in a fight."
"What?" Renee exclaimed, turning around in her seat.
Allanah stared at the floor of the car. "A boy was teasing Carina at recess. I told him to stop, but he wouldn't. So, I hit him."
Renee had to fight to keep herself from laughing. "Let me look at your face," she told her daughter through barely suppressed giggles.
Allanah beamed proudly at her mother. "He didn't even hit me. He was on the ground when a teacher came over."
Renee knew she should scold her daughter, but she was afraid she'd burst out in laughter if she tried. "I'm going to have to tell your father," Renee managed to say without laughing. Allanah looked at the floor. "Okay," she said in barely a whisper. When they were almost home, she looked up again and asked, "Will he be mad?"
Renee smiled at her daughter. "I'm sure he'll understand."
*******
Carina danced into the large house. "Ian's getting in trouble. Ian's getting in trouble."
"Carina, settle down," Darvi told her daughter, suppressing a smile.
Ian stepped into the hallway from his study. "What is this I hear about me getting into trouble?"
"Not you, Daddy," Carina squealed, running to her father. "My brofer."
Ian lifted his daughter, planting a kiss on her forehead. He set her back on the floor and said, "Go put your backpack in your room." Once she left the hallway, he looked at Darvi and asked, "Now what's this about?"
"Something our son didn't tell us when Dakota brought him home earlier."
"And what's that?"
"He got in a fight today?"
Ian's face remained calm, but Darvi sensed the change in him. From playful to authoritative. "How many times have we told him?"
Darvi stopped her husband. "Ian, maybe we should let him explain it to us."
Ian took a calming breath. "He'd better have a good reason."
"You will not hit him."
Ian's heart fell when he realized he was acting like his 'father.' "Of course not, Darvi. I'm sorry."
She wrapped her arm around his shoulders as they started up the stairs. "I know you wouldn't. You're not like him, and you never will be."
Darvi knocked on their son's bedroom door before opening it. He was sitting on the bed, but didn't look at them when they stepped into the room. "He's meditating," Ian whispered.
"Looks just like you," Darvi whispered back.
Ian cleared his throat, and his son opened his eyes. "Ian Yannick."
The young Ian knew he was in trouble when his father used both his first and middle names. "Yes, Father?"
"You told us nothing happened at school today when you got home."
Ian looked down at his bed. "But now your mother tells me that something did happen."
The older Nottingham sat on his son's bed. He put his hand below the young boy's chin and raised his head. "Why did you get in a fight today? We have told you we do not like that."
"I'm sorry, Daddy," he cried, breaking down into tears. "He was making fun of Parker and Rebecca. He called Parker stupid. Then started jumping around him calling him a retard. When Rebecca tried comforting Parker, he started saying she was his girlfriend. Then he made kissy faces at them. I told him to stop." He looked in his father's eyes. "I wasn't gonna hit him, but he wouldn't stop. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disappoint you, Daddy."
Ian wrapped his arms around his son and pulled the small body close to him. "It is okay, Son. I am not disappointed in you." 'How could I be when I would have done the same thing?'
*******
Vince Craig watched the house from across the street. "Did they really think I'd just leave?" He chuckled to himself.
He could see her moving around upstairs. He watched as another silhouette joined hers. He laughed out loud this time. "Might as well enjoy yourselves now. I'll be around, just waiting."
Inside the house, Caitlyn smiled as Danny entered their bedroom. "How was work?" She asked.
"Paperwork. No more cases yet."
"Well, that's good."
"Yes, it is."
"Care to join me?" She asked with a grin, moving toward the bed.
He grinned back at his wife. They stopped when the phone rang, breaking the moment. "I'll get it," he muttered.
He reached toward the bedside table and picked up the phone. "Hello? Hello? Who is this?" He slammed the phone down in aggravation. "I hate it when people do that."
Caitlyn put her hands on his shoulders. "Probably just some kid goofing around. Let's go to bed."
He smiled wearily at her, hoping she was right. She was asleep beside him when the phone rang a little over an hour later. Groaning, he rolled over and answered it. "Who is it?"
"Sorry if I woke you, Danny."
"No, it's all right, Martin. What is it?"
"We got a new case."
"I'll be right there." Danny replaced the phone on the receiver. He swung his feet to the floor and pulled on his jeans. Moving silently to his dresser, he pulled out a shirt and slipped into it. Returning to the bed, he leaned over and kissed his wife. "I love you," he whispered.
She shifted in her sleep, but didn't wake. Danny closed the door softly behind him.